State Schools in Mallorca
#1
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Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 5
State Schools in Mallorca
Hi there
We are relocating to Mallorca in the new year but are finding it difficult to find out which of the state schools are good and how the children coped. If anyone can assist it would be greatly appreciated, we are thinking of staying central to south west of Palma,
any nursery info would also be appreciated, we have 3 children, 1, 3 & 5.
Many thanks
Lyndsay
We are relocating to Mallorca in the new year but are finding it difficult to find out which of the state schools are good and how the children coped. If anyone can assist it would be greatly appreciated, we are thinking of staying central to south west of Palma,
any nursery info would also be appreciated, we have 3 children, 1, 3 & 5.
Many thanks
Lyndsay
#2
Just Joined
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 3
Re: State Schools in Mallorca
Hi there
We are relocating to Mallorca in the new year but are finding it difficult to find out which of the state schools are good and how the children coped. If anyone can assist it would be greatly appreciated, we are thinking of staying central to south west of Palma,
any nursery info would also be appreciated, we have 3 children, 1, 3 & 5.
Many thanks
Lyndsay
We are relocating to Mallorca in the new year but are finding it difficult to find out which of the state schools are good and how the children coped. If anyone can assist it would be greatly appreciated, we are thinking of staying central to south west of Palma,
any nursery info would also be appreciated, we have 3 children, 1, 3 & 5.
Many thanks
Lyndsay
Life in Mallorca is good, but not without complications.
Bear in mind that education over here is in Mallorquin, a dialect of Catalan and very different to Spanish. Spanish people from the mainland do not understand orspeak it. It would be like someone coming to the UK and sending kids to a Welsh language school.
The state system is quite poor. Our son was born here, and went to a nursery. We then looked at schools, and after a lot of research, we felt we couldn't inflict a Mallorcan state education on him and opted to send him to a private English language school. There are lot of discipline issues in the state schools - school is somewhere you go until your 15 or 16, rather than a place where you go for an education. My brother moved back to UK when his son was 9 as he refused to educate him in a Spanish school. I have many horror stories, not many success stories.
After 25 years in Spain, I don't know a single boy of an ex pat who has been through a state education and amounted to anything. They tend to be good in Mallorquin, have very poor written English and Spanish (though speak it well). Ambition stops at 16, where the peak of existence is to have a moped and smoke dope. That's as far as it goes. Girls seem to do better, but that's not a given.
My son's school is over 50% Spanish children whose parents are trying to get them out of that. It's hard financially, but we have never regretted it once. Over 90 % stay on to do "A" levels, and in the last three years, they have had 3 students go to Cambridge University.
You will suffer a great culture shock unless you learn Spanish pretty quick. sad to say, the locals a quite noticeably racist, more so away from Palma and in the villages. They don't get us, they don't like us, and they don't want us. They count mainlanders as foreign, and Brits and Germans as intruders. Virtually nobody speaks English, and they will not make any effort to accomodate you if you don't speak Spanish. You will not be assimilated into village life, you will be excluded and ignored. The Mallorquins are great people, but they just don't mix. The schools will not make allowances, so if you want to be able to talk to the teachers about the childrens' progress, you must do it in Spanish.
Red tape is a nightmare, be prepared to spend a lot of time queueing and being sent backwards and forwards to get everything straight.
You don't refer to what you will be doing over here - jobs are difficult to come by, and pay is very low. Property is very expensive, even in the recession.
We looked at all options and settled in San Augustin, near Palma so it's easy to get about.
On the plus, Mallorca is a good place, so once you do get settled in, you should be fine. Most people move 2 or 3 times befire they get it right, so be prepared to adapt in your first year.
All the best,
Enesem
#3
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 7,749
Re: State Schools in Mallorca
Hello, Lyndsay.
Life in Mallorca is good, but not without complications.
Bear in mind that education over here is in Mallorquin, a dialect of Catalan and very different to Spanish. Spanish people from the mainland do not understand orspeak it. It would be like someone coming to the UK and sending kids to a Welsh language school.
The state system is quite poor. Our son was born here, and went to a nursery. We then looked at schools, and after a lot of research, we felt we couldn't inflict a Mallorcan state education on him and opted to send him to a private English language school. There are lot of discipline issues in the state schools - school is somewhere you go until your 15 or 16, rather than a place where you go for an education. My brother moved back to UK when his son was 9 as he refused to educate him in a Spanish school. I have many horror stories, not many success stories.
After 25 years in Spain, I don't know a single boy of an ex pat who has been through a state education and amounted to anything. They tend to be good in Mallorquin, have very poor written English and Spanish (though speak it well). Ambition stops at 16, where the peak of existence is to have a moped and smoke dope. That's as far as it goes. Girls seem to do better, but that's not a given.
My son's school is over 50% Spanish children whose parents are trying to get them out of that. It's hard financially, but we have never regretted it once. Over 90 % stay on to do "A" levels, and in the last three years, they have had 3 students go to Cambridge University.
You will suffer a great culture shock unless you learn Spanish pretty quick. sad to say, the locals a quite noticeably racist, more so away from Palma and in the villages. They don't get us, they don't like us, and they don't want us. They count mainlanders as foreign, and Brits and Germans as intruders. Virtually nobody speaks English, and they will not make any effort to accomodate you if you don't speak Spanish. You will not be assimilated into village life, you will be excluded and ignored. The Mallorquins are great people, but they just don't mix. The schools will not make allowances, so if you want to be able to talk to the teachers about the childrens' progress, you must do it in Spanish.
Red tape is a nightmare, be prepared to spend a lot of time queueing and being sent backwards and forwards to get everything straight.
You don't refer to what you will be doing over here - jobs are difficult to come by, and pay is very low. Property is very expensive, even in the recession.
We looked at all options and settled in San Augustin, near Palma so it's easy to get about.
On the plus, Mallorca is a good place, so once you do get settled in, you should be fine. Most people move 2 or 3 times befire they get it right, so be prepared to adapt in your first year.
All the best,
Enesem
Life in Mallorca is good, but not without complications.
Bear in mind that education over here is in Mallorquin, a dialect of Catalan and very different to Spanish. Spanish people from the mainland do not understand orspeak it. It would be like someone coming to the UK and sending kids to a Welsh language school.
The state system is quite poor. Our son was born here, and went to a nursery. We then looked at schools, and after a lot of research, we felt we couldn't inflict a Mallorcan state education on him and opted to send him to a private English language school. There are lot of discipline issues in the state schools - school is somewhere you go until your 15 or 16, rather than a place where you go for an education. My brother moved back to UK when his son was 9 as he refused to educate him in a Spanish school. I have many horror stories, not many success stories.
After 25 years in Spain, I don't know a single boy of an ex pat who has been through a state education and amounted to anything. They tend to be good in Mallorquin, have very poor written English and Spanish (though speak it well). Ambition stops at 16, where the peak of existence is to have a moped and smoke dope. That's as far as it goes. Girls seem to do better, but that's not a given.
My son's school is over 50% Spanish children whose parents are trying to get them out of that. It's hard financially, but we have never regretted it once. Over 90 % stay on to do "A" levels, and in the last three years, they have had 3 students go to Cambridge University.
You will suffer a great culture shock unless you learn Spanish pretty quick. sad to say, the locals a quite noticeably racist, more so away from Palma and in the villages. They don't get us, they don't like us, and they don't want us. They count mainlanders as foreign, and Brits and Germans as intruders. Virtually nobody speaks English, and they will not make any effort to accomodate you if you don't speak Spanish. You will not be assimilated into village life, you will be excluded and ignored. The Mallorquins are great people, but they just don't mix. The schools will not make allowances, so if you want to be able to talk to the teachers about the childrens' progress, you must do it in Spanish.
Red tape is a nightmare, be prepared to spend a lot of time queueing and being sent backwards and forwards to get everything straight.
You don't refer to what you will be doing over here - jobs are difficult to come by, and pay is very low. Property is very expensive, even in the recession.
We looked at all options and settled in San Augustin, near Palma so it's easy to get about.
On the plus, Mallorca is a good place, so once you do get settled in, you should be fine. Most people move 2 or 3 times befire they get it right, so be prepared to adapt in your first year.
All the best,
Enesem
I'm sorry you've been having a hard time. I just want to pick up on one thing.
You say the locals are "racist" even towards Spanish mainlanders and especially if you dont speak Spanish. And then you advise to learn Spanish.
Surely the locals will be spealing in Mallorquin and therefore it would be better to learn this rather than Spanish? I say this because I spent 2 years in Barcelona and the local Catalans didnt like me speaking Spanish, but if I spoke any Catalan at all they were very friendly and all smiles.
The local languages in Spain is something foreigners dont really get, but they are essential if anyone wants to integrate and make local friends, especially in parts of Catalunya and the Balearics. And an important consideration in regards to schooling
Imo the local languages are great and there are no limits to how many languages kids can learn when they are young, it will only broaden their horizons and ways of thinking. I knew 3 year old kids speaking 3 languages fluently in Barcelona..
#4
Just Joined
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 3
Re: State Schools in Mallorca
Hi, Cricketman.
Actually, we're not having a hard time, we are doing ok, and Mallorca is a great place.
And, you are absolutely right about learning Mallorquin, it would certainly be a great advantage. Some local councils offer free lessons.
The issue is that it is a difficult language to learn speak, and I would recommend to learn Spanish first and then Mallorquin. Brits don't tend to learn languages well.
Spanish is important, and as everyone speaks it, start there. As for mixing, my universal experience is that ex-pats do not become friends and mix with locals, they exist in a kind of parallell universe. You will most likely mix with South Americans, or mainlanders before locals, and so it's back to knowing Spanish.
But you need to look outwards, not inwards, up, not down. If you are in a village, and the kids do as the locals do, you will find it very hard to get them out of that insular, closed mindset because that is how they are taught.
Educated locals will tell you it's a mistake that the balearic government is so militant about Mallorquin. However, it is a beautiful language, and worth taking the time to get to know.
I see ex-pat children who are culturally lost to their parents, even ashamed of them for being foreign.
I like that my son thinks and reads English as his first language. A good command of English will open more doors globally than Mallorquin. But since he lives here, he should respect it.
Actually, we're not having a hard time, we are doing ok, and Mallorca is a great place.
And, you are absolutely right about learning Mallorquin, it would certainly be a great advantage. Some local councils offer free lessons.
The issue is that it is a difficult language to learn speak, and I would recommend to learn Spanish first and then Mallorquin. Brits don't tend to learn languages well.
Spanish is important, and as everyone speaks it, start there. As for mixing, my universal experience is that ex-pats do not become friends and mix with locals, they exist in a kind of parallell universe. You will most likely mix with South Americans, or mainlanders before locals, and so it's back to knowing Spanish.
But you need to look outwards, not inwards, up, not down. If you are in a village, and the kids do as the locals do, you will find it very hard to get them out of that insular, closed mindset because that is how they are taught.
Educated locals will tell you it's a mistake that the balearic government is so militant about Mallorquin. However, it is a beautiful language, and worth taking the time to get to know.
I see ex-pat children who are culturally lost to their parents, even ashamed of them for being foreign.
I like that my son thinks and reads English as his first language. A good command of English will open more doors globally than Mallorquin. But since he lives here, he should respect it.
Last edited by enesem; Jan 4th 2010 at 6:20 pm.
#5
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 7,749
Re: State Schools in Mallorca
Yes good points. I've found it easier to makes Argentinian friends than Spanish friends, as they are as much outsiders as Brits are.
I grew up in a small town in the UK with zero foreigners. We had two Russian kids come on a foreign exchange once - they were ridiculed and eventually beaten up. I only say this to show that in a village/town atmosphere people will aways be resistant to outsiders.
Plus, the Mallorcans must feel a little under attack given that they make up the minority of the population even on their own island.
There must be something good about the Mallorquin system given the excellent sportsmen they produce Rafael Nadal, Carlos Moyá, Jorge Lorenzo, Rudy Fernandez and Albert Riera to name a few
I grew up in a small town in the UK with zero foreigners. We had two Russian kids come on a foreign exchange once - they were ridiculed and eventually beaten up. I only say this to show that in a village/town atmosphere people will aways be resistant to outsiders.
Plus, the Mallorcans must feel a little under attack given that they make up the minority of the population even on their own island.
There must be something good about the Mallorquin system given the excellent sportsmen they produce Rafael Nadal, Carlos Moyá, Jorge Lorenzo, Rudy Fernandez and Albert Riera to name a few
#6
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Thread Starter
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 5
Re: State Schools in Mallorca
Thank you so much for your honesty, I think to have a good variety of input is very important.
My heart did sink though when I read your email as its so ironic that the main reason we are doing this is to give the children a better lifestyle, a more engaging atmosphere and somewhere they could grow up close to nature and most importantly realising the value of family life.
I am a teacher myself, and the schooling issue is for me the greatest hurdle, but I cannot ignore what the majority say about letting your children integrate while they are still young and the speed at which they learn the language.
My fears for the international school are that they will be equally isolated from the culture, so its really a catch 22 here. I am actually a South African that has experienced those exact things you talk about, right here in London.
What Ive realised is that we only live once, our kids are only young once and we have to try and make their lives as rich as possible in these trying times. Kids in England are statistically the most unhappy in the entire world and a part of me can understand why.
I know this sounds so idealistic and Im sure the reality is going to be alot harder than we ever imagined, but we are one hundred percent sure that this lifestyle in London is not for us!
mny thanks again for all your comments and I will take on board what you said!
My heart did sink though when I read your email as its so ironic that the main reason we are doing this is to give the children a better lifestyle, a more engaging atmosphere and somewhere they could grow up close to nature and most importantly realising the value of family life.
I am a teacher myself, and the schooling issue is for me the greatest hurdle, but I cannot ignore what the majority say about letting your children integrate while they are still young and the speed at which they learn the language.
My fears for the international school are that they will be equally isolated from the culture, so its really a catch 22 here. I am actually a South African that has experienced those exact things you talk about, right here in London.
What Ive realised is that we only live once, our kids are only young once and we have to try and make their lives as rich as possible in these trying times. Kids in England are statistically the most unhappy in the entire world and a part of me can understand why.
I know this sounds so idealistic and Im sure the reality is going to be alot harder than we ever imagined, but we are one hundred percent sure that this lifestyle in London is not for us!
mny thanks again for all your comments and I will take on board what you said!
#7
Just Joined
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 3
Re: State Schools in Mallorca
Thank you so much for your honesty, I think to have a good variety of input is very important.
My heart did sink though when I read your email as its so ironic that the main reason we are doing this is to give the children a better lifestyle, a more engaging atmosphere and somewhere they could grow up close to nature and most importantly realising the value of family life.
I am a teacher myself, and the schooling issue is for me the greatest hurdle, but I cannot ignore what the majority say about letting your children integrate while they are still young and the speed at which they learn the language.
My fears for the international school are that they will be equally isolated from the culture, so its really a catch 22 here. I am actually a South African that has experienced those exact things you talk about, right here in London.
What Ive realised is that we only live once, our kids are only young once and we have to try and make their lives as rich as possible in these trying times. Kids in England are statistically the most unhappy in the entire world and a part of me can understand why.
I know this sounds so idealistic and Im sure the reality is going to be alot harder than we ever imagined, but we are one hundred percent sure that this lifestyle in London is not for us!
mny thanks again for all your comments and I will take on board what you said!
My heart did sink though when I read your email as its so ironic that the main reason we are doing this is to give the children a better lifestyle, a more engaging atmosphere and somewhere they could grow up close to nature and most importantly realising the value of family life.
I am a teacher myself, and the schooling issue is for me the greatest hurdle, but I cannot ignore what the majority say about letting your children integrate while they are still young and the speed at which they learn the language.
My fears for the international school are that they will be equally isolated from the culture, so its really a catch 22 here. I am actually a South African that has experienced those exact things you talk about, right here in London.
What Ive realised is that we only live once, our kids are only young once and we have to try and make their lives as rich as possible in these trying times. Kids in England are statistically the most unhappy in the entire world and a part of me can understand why.
I know this sounds so idealistic and Im sure the reality is going to be alot harder than we ever imagined, but we are one hundred percent sure that this lifestyle in London is not for us!
mny thanks again for all your comments and I will take on board what you said!
Mallorca has a lot more - and, as a teacher, if you get a job in one of the private schools, then your kids can go free or get an assisted place.
But you have to weigh things up. I would say to go for it if the alternative is London, but be realistic. Village life is very dull, unless you are prepared to drive a lot.
It really depends on your budget for accomodation and available work - that will determine where you live more than anything.
My advice would be to look for work in the English language schools, send the kids to local schools to learn the language then, if possible, aim to get them into private schools before secondry education starts. If you wait till they are 11, they will have one to two years to catch up. If you work in the school, it will be affordable, if not free.
#8
Re: State Schools in Mallorca
Thank you so much for your honesty, I think to have a good variety of input is very important.
My heart did sink though when I read your email as its so ironic that the main reason we are doing this is to give the children a better lifestyle, a more engaging atmosphere and somewhere they could grow up close to nature and most importantly realising the value of family life.
I am a teacher myself, and the schooling issue is for me the greatest hurdle, but I cannot ignore what the majority say about letting your children integrate while they are still young and the speed at which they learn the language.
My fears for the international school are that they will be equally isolated from the culture, so its really a catch 22 here. I am actually a South African that has experienced those exact things you talk about, right here in London.
What Ive realised is that we only live once, our kids are only young once and we have to try and make their lives as rich as possible in these trying times. Kids in England are statistically the most unhappy in the entire world and a part of me can understand why.
I know this sounds so idealistic and Im sure the reality is going to be alot harder than we ever imagined, but we are one hundred percent sure that this lifestyle in London is not for us!
mny thanks again for all your comments and I will take on board what you said!
My heart did sink though when I read your email as its so ironic that the main reason we are doing this is to give the children a better lifestyle, a more engaging atmosphere and somewhere they could grow up close to nature and most importantly realising the value of family life.
I am a teacher myself, and the schooling issue is for me the greatest hurdle, but I cannot ignore what the majority say about letting your children integrate while they are still young and the speed at which they learn the language.
My fears for the international school are that they will be equally isolated from the culture, so its really a catch 22 here. I am actually a South African that has experienced those exact things you talk about, right here in London.
What Ive realised is that we only live once, our kids are only young once and we have to try and make their lives as rich as possible in these trying times. Kids in England are statistically the most unhappy in the entire world and a part of me can understand why.
I know this sounds so idealistic and Im sure the reality is going to be alot harder than we ever imagined, but we are one hundred percent sure that this lifestyle in London is not for us!
mny thanks again for all your comments and I will take on board what you said!
How about trying somewhere else in England before you leap to another country.
#10
Just Joined
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 2
Re: State Schools in Mallorca
Hi Lyndsay, I would really like to know how this worked out. I am moving from the UK to Majorca within the next few weeks to be with my partner, and although my partner is from Majorca and I trust him with his decision about our son’s school, as a mother it’s still natural for me to have my concerns. Our son is 9 and has been raised in the UK but after me loosing my job I have decided to move to Majorca. My partner already has work but as yet I don’t, so I don’t think we will be able to afford to send our son to a private school so we decided on a public school.
Any advice or information would be great! Thank you.
Any advice or information would be great! Thank you.